Photos: Former U.S. Sen. William V. Roth (above). Roth rides in 2000 Returns Day parage in Georgetown with current U.S. Sen. Thomas R. Carper.

William V. Roth, a long-time U.S. Senator for the state of Delaware, died at his daughter's home in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night, Dec. 13, 2003.

Roth, a Republican who lost the U.S. Senate seat he held for five terms to former Delaware Governor Thomas R. Carper, a Democrat, in 2000, was 82 years old.

"Sen. Roth's work in the areas of reducing taxes, balancing the federal budget, reforming government, leading foreign relations and preserving the environment are well-known," said Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner on Sunday, Dec. 14.

"But that was on the national and international stage. Here at home, he was known for his caring, for his impressive service to his constituents, and for the loveable dogs that were his trademarks. Delaware is no doubt a different and better place for Bill Roth's time here."

Gov. Minner ordered that U.S. and state flags in Delaware be lowered to half-mast Monday morning and remain at half-mast until further notice.

Born on July 22, 1921, Roth rose to prominence in the U.S. Senate and eventually served as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. He co-authored the Kemp-Roth tax cut of 1981 and introduced a retirement savings plan that bears his name: The Roth IRA tax-free savings account.

Roth grew up in Montana and came to Delaware in 1955. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1966 and the U.S. Senate in 1970.